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Feel the Power of Running the Neighborhoods

Pittsburgh - The Ultimate Running City

The history of Pittsburgh is built on stories of strength, competition and resilient reinvention. The unique work ethic and competitive spirit that helped to build the Steel City is alive and well today in those now revolutionizing industries like healthcare, technology and environmental science.

We've become a magnetic draw for the sport's best competitors and for visiting runners from all over. Our race weekend pulls participation from 50 states and 20 countries.

It's a new era for Pittsburgh, and things are thriving with an energy you won't find anywhere else! Join us on race weekend and capture some of this energy and enjoy the character, architechture and landscape of Pittsburgh up-close and personal.

The neighborhoods that make up the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon offer a unique and oh so interesting snapshot of Pittsburgh. One that runners rave about over and over again. The smell of street side barbecues, the bands that play every type of music from rock and roll to the Pittsburgh Polka, the spectators with signs that make you laugh and cry, the dance troups, the school groups - the list goes on and on.

First things first - it's training season and while you're prepping to run the Marathon, you may find yourself running through the very streets of the 14 neighborhoods where the big event takes place: North Side, West End, South Side, Oakland, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Homewood, East Liberty, Highland Park, Friendship, Bloomfield, The Strip District, Uptown and Downtown.

Here are just a few neighborhood highlights that take you all over the city:

South Side: End your runs in the South Side, and you'll never run out of post run fuel options. Some of the 'Burgh's best kept secrets can be found nestled between Ninth Street and 28th Street. And for history buffs, East Carson Street is America's longest business Victorian National Historic District.

Bloomfield: Bounce over to Pittsburgh's Little Italy to carbo-load before long races. This is an exciting stretch on race day as you get closer to the finish line. With its red, white and green parking meters, the neighborhood's Italian roots reach back more than five generations. But the neighborhood mix also includes descendants of Germany and Poland.

The Strip District: Saunter over to The Strip for food, clothes and all key Yinzer paraphernalia. There's plenty to see and do to keep a runner entertained. The Strip District gets its name from its geographic location. It's a mile-long stretch of narrow land sandwiched between the Allegheny River to the north and a hill to the south.

West End: The very logs used to build Fort Pitt were harvested and transported through what is now the West End Village, journey up to the West End-Elliot Overlook and bask in the panoramic view of the city or meander around The Village to shop, eat or just visit.

North Side: Located north of downtown, just across the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, the North Side was formerly known as Allegheny City, but was annexed (the local residents say stolen) by the City of Pittsburgh in 1907. From PNC Park to the Andy Warhol Museum, there is a lot to keep you distracted on a long run. You can loop the stadiums or hit the Three Rivers Heritage Trail along the water for amazing views of the Steel City.

We'll tell you more about all 14 neighborhoods in future blog posts and share them in our newsletters too.

Tell us what you love the most about your favorite Pittsburgh neighborhood right here . We'll use these insider details to keep our 40,000 runners inspired!